Saudi Arabia’s Aramco Slammed over ‘Racist’ Move on Foreign Worker

Oil giant Aramco came under fire after photos showing a migrant worker wearing a surgical mask and a hand-sanitizer dispenser went viral, as several social media users blasted the act as “racist” and "slavery".

News ID: 449570

Date: 13 March 2020 - 11:28

RNA - The Asian worker was shown looking downcast, and wearing a blue surgical mask and a large white-shaped box with the words "Hand Sanitizer" in the middle and a dispenser underneath. In another image, the humiliated worker has stood in front of a man, probably a highly-placed authority, disinfecting his hands.

One Twitter user said it’s "Gulf classism. A gift from Aramco". Another described it as slavery "repackaged", while a user added that the person behind the idea needed to "sanitize his brain".

The worker in the images "must be compensated for the humiliating act", another user stressed.

The company has later expressed its "strong dissatisfaction with this abusive behavior that was used to emphasize the importance of sanitization, without the approval of the company's concerned party".

"The company immediately stopped it act and took strict measures to prevent it from happening again," the statement claimed.

But the public anger didn't subside, as a user stated that Aramco needed to apologize to the "person himself" not to the public.

The Kingdom has been slammed for its human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers, as the oil-rich country is home to millions of low-income foreign workers employed in blue-collar jobs largely shunned by Saudis.

In September, the sister of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has been found guilty of ordering her bodyguard to beat and humiliate a plumber who was renovating her luxury Paris apartment.

Princess Hassa bint Salman has received a 10-month suspended sentence and a 10,000 euro (£8,900) fine after she told her bodyguard to beat up the man for taking photos inside her home.
The plumber, Ashraf Eid, stated the guard tied him up and forced him to kiss the princess’ feet.

The daughter of King Salman was found guilty of complicity to violence with a weapon and complicity to kidnap.

According to Fars News Agency, Saudi Arabia reported more than 20 new coronavirus cases early Thursday, bringing the kingdom's total to 45 cases, the state news agency reported, citing the health ministry. Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Abdelali has cautioned figures could surge in coming days.

Riyadh has taken measures to curb the spread of the virus, including suspending education, banning religious lessons at all mosques and limiting Friday prayer sermons to 15 minutes. Saudi Arabia suspended travel from and to several countries for citizens and residents.

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